A plan to make world trade fairer for poor countries and help millions of people out of poverty came a step closer last night.
A framework text for discussions to end export subsidies on farm products and cut import duties was agreed by the World Trade Organisation in Geneva.
The agreement between the 147 delegates in Geneva is a major step towards a global accord which has been under discussion since a meeting in Doha in 2001.
It is argued that by easing trading conditions for developing countries, their home economies would get stronger, in turn boosting world trade.
The talks collapsed in Cancun, Mexico, last year, following apparent deadlock over the issue of agricultural subsidies, particularly those of the EU and the United States.
The deal, approved by a consensus of the 147-nation body, opened the way for full negotiations to start in September.
The approval followed a breakthrough yesterday when 20 key countries approved a document setting out the framework for a legally binding treaty, WTO spokesman Mr Keith Rockwell said.
The document commits nations to lowering import duties and reducing government support in the three major areas of international trade - industrial goods, agriculture and service industries such as telecommunications and banking.
Major trading nations gave a cautious welcome today to the deal.
"Generally speaking, the framework (agreement) is not bad, though the developing countries are not fully satisfied," the official Xinhua news agency quoted Mr Sun Zhenyu, China's ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as saying.
Japan's Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said that rather than an agreement being reached the deal meant negotiations were back on track.
"It includes the elements needed to bring about a balanced final agreement, but at the same time allows for Japan to make its case on sensitive agricultural products at future negotiations, so I think we should rate it highly," Mr Kawaguchi said of the accord.
Canadian Trade Minister Jim Peterson said his country had an uphill battle in a hostile WTO to preserve the Canadian Wheat Board and its supply-managed dairy, poultry and egg sectors in their present forms.
"In terms of supply management, and in the case of the Wheat Board, I have to be honest with you, we were under attack. It was one against 146. We had absolutely no allies at the negotiating table," Mr Peterson told reporters from Geneva.
An unequivocal welcome came from German Economy Minister Wolfgang Clement who said: "I'm delighted that the members of WTO have grasped the opportunity, even before the elections in the United States and the changeover in the European Commission, that achieves a substantial step forward in world trade talks.
"A positive signal is being sent from Geneva for further talks and the setback from Cancun has been overcome," he added.